An image forming apparatus is provided which is capable of forming images on recording materials of various types and sizes. The image forming apparatus includes a storing member for storing recording materials having an arbitrary size, a size-information input device for inputting size information corresponding to the arbitrary size of the recording materials, and a controller for controlling an image forming operation according to the size information inputted by the size-information input device. The size information input by the size-information input device includes each of arbitrary values corresponding to longitudinal and lateral lengths of the recording materials.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of storing members for storing recording materials; a display device for indicating sheet type information with respect to the recording materials stored in each of the storing members; an input device for inputting selecting information among the sheet type information indicated in the display device with respect to a first sheet; a memory device for storing the selecting information; and a controller; wherein when a given storing member in current use becomes empty during an image forming operation, the controller controls an automatic storing member switching mode, in which the controller selects an alternative storing member which currently stores recording materials of a same size as the recording materials stored in the empty storing member, and the controller causes a feeder to feed the recording materials from the alternative storing member; and wherein the controller controls the first sheet and a second sheet on a substantial same condition based on the selecting information stored in the memory, the sheet-type of the first and second sheet being different when the controller selects the alternative storing member by the automatic storing member switching mode.
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sheet type information is on a recycled sheet, a colored sheet and a mother sheet.
3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sheet type information is on the recycled sheet.
4. The image forming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sheet type information is on the colored sheet.
5. The image forming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sheet type information is on the mother sheet.
6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the memory device is a non-volatile memory.
7. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input device provides icons corresponding to the sheet type information.
8. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display device provides icons corresponding to the sheet type information.
9. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a sheet type detector for detecting a sheet type of the recording materials stored in each of the storing members; wherein the controller displays a warning on the display device when the sheet type information being input by the sheet type input device does not accord with a result of detection by the sheet type detector.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 22, 2003
October 26, 2004
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